Doubtless by now you have heard of my exhibition match with the whirling Dervish Azzi, I wish to make clear in my defence that there was a very pretty girl present and I got distracted, however I do apologize for any shame brought upon the school. Doubtless I shall fight many more duels and feel I should like to prove the victor in at least one, to wit I have a proposition for you, I am currently founding a settlement in Horcrux and would hope you might see the value in setting up a sword school to train me and the many students who would doubtless become pupils.

You are correct that I have heard of your misfortune at the hands of Azzi the Dervish, although defeat to a master of the Dawnflower’s Dervish style is no disgrace. However, the method of the defeat, the complete and utter destruction of any defence that you might construct and the trifling blows that you returned during the combat bring a new level of embarrassment for the school.

I fail to understand why setting up a new school a backwater village will be on benefit to me, or other members of the school. Here in Restov, master Duellers receive political and economic privileges and there are plenty of students to go around. However, I would be prepared to circulate your suggestion to some of the lesser masters who might be looking for a new challenge. What inducements should I tell them you are offering?

Give my regards to Elbert.

Arlan Baran.
Swordlord of Restov and High Master in the Modern Tradition.

May I express my gratitude for your words of encouragement and advice it warms my heart to know that you consider defeat at the Dervish style to be no disgrace and I promise to continue extolling your teaching to all worthy citizens.

Let me take a moment to correct your perception that the Barony of New Haven is a backwater, whilst it is true it is currently the size of a village, expansion continues apace, the Sword Lords have poured considerable funding and influence into this settlement and are doubtless watching progress with keen interest. I am very grateful to you for your kind offer to circulate our offer to your colleagues, I have asked my master of letters, Charles to prepare a copy of the inducements and privileges that we are prepared to offer which is attached separately. As you can see the most interesting inducement is a monopoly that includes the right to veto future sword schools being set up in Horcrux for five years, in addition to the usual taxation and political privileges.

Elbert hopes to visit Restov soon and would be delighted to revisit his old academy should any suitable candidates present themselves, (not Adolphus Hollenstein though his family still seem to feel I brought his sister into disrepute, unjustly I feel).

I remain your faithful servant

Rudolph Baron of New Haven and Graduate (third class) in the Modern Tradition

Sir - we don't have a political system like they have in Restov. A senior SwordLord, such as High Master Baran, is accorded very special political privileges and tax exemptions. For example the Sword Schools are exempt from paying taxes, but are responsible for patrolling the areas around their sword schools and enforcing the laws in those areas. That is contrary to our systems where we expect the towns to be patrolled by guards and the countryside to be protected by marshals - all extra expenses that Restov does not have. Furthermore, Senior Swordlords often have a seat on the Council of Restov, giving them a say in the way the city is run, which we can't do unless you want to make school masters lords automatically - which would be similar - but would dilute the authority of the charter lords over time.

As for a five year veto over other schools - five years is an awfully long time at this point in the development of the city. It might be better to retain good terms with The Master and and his school and hope that something comes from his 'Letting the Others Know' in the mean time perhaps you might wish to introduce an Order of Knighthood for New haven that would allow us to make minor awards of titles that do not hold political power? Although we will, before long, need to establish a system of management and reporting for our representatives in secondary towns and settlements as well.

I was aware of the support that the swordlords have been sending into your new settlement along with that going into Varnhold and Fort Drelev. I am also aware of your recent visit to the cathedral here in Restov, when you sought special favours from the High Priest there, in respect of one of your companions.

Still, the document from your Magister is interesting. He lays out a plan where a successful Master Dueller with his own school could be awarded the status of Knight Commander – assuming he was prepared to make various commitments to your new state. I will pass that around to some of the minor masters and see what their views are. What further financial inducements are you prepared to offer them?

Arlan Baran.
Swordlord of Restov and High Master in the Modern Tradition.

My thanks for your continued interest in this project, I am very grateful for your offer of help and in answer to your question the Barony would provide financial support in the form of a private house and the resources to build a school to mutually agreed upon specifications. As part of their commitments to New Haven the Sword Master or Mistress would be required to instruct the officers in the citizen militia in mastering the sword, for which there would be a stipend.

I would be grateful if you might let me know if you might let me know the view of the Masters and trust I might visit you when I am next is Restov.